Fury from AM and Councillors as TfL reverse decision on 384 bus
Local London Assembly Member Andrew Dismore AM, and East Barnet Councillors have expressed anger at the decision of Transport for London to go ahead with their scheme to alter the 384 bus route. A consultation in 2018 found that 80% of local residents were opposed to the changes, which would see the route no longer include several side streets such as Lyonsdown Road.
Local London Assembly Member, Andrew Dismore AM, said:
“TfL’s decision is appalling. They have sneaked it in without informing anyone and without consulting further, given the assurances we obtained last year from them that they would not go ahead with the changes. There should have been proper notification, communications, and an opportunity for local people to be heard.”
East Barnet Labour Councillor Jo Cooper added:
“Local residents will be extremely disappointed in the decision. We set up a petition which attracted 1300 signatures, and many thousands more made individual comments opposing the changes. TfL also promised a public meeting should they go ahead with the changes. Given how many people are signed up to videoconferencing systems like Zoom, that would have been a start.”
Fellow East Barnet Labour Councillor Laurie Williams also added:
“We have explained at length that these changes would be detrimental to many residents, especially those who live far away from other bus routes, or only have access to other low frequency bus routes. TfL must reconsider their changes, and put these residents first. Bus services in outer London may attract fewer users, but the impact it has on their lives is far greater, as there are far fewer alternative transport options.”
ENDS
Notes
– Andrew Dismore AM is the London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden
– Cllr Laurie Williams and Cllr Jo Cooper are Labour Councillors for East Barnet ward, London Borough of Barnet.
– A copy of the letter from Mr Dismore, Cllr Cooper and Cllr Williams can be found here:Letter to Heidi Alexander on 384 bus April 20
– A copy of the update from TfL can be found here: https://consultations.tfl.gov.uk/buses/route-384/
